Material Selection Impact on Cell Performances

Performances of solid oxide fuel cell is described and established in the literature as a function of the cell design and microstructural properties along with material composition. However, industrial platform to produce the different powders leads to different characteristics of these powders which can lead to difference in performances. Saint-Gobain is fabricating powders for SOFC application controlling accurately their chemistry. Different level of purity and dopant can thus be provided to reach the optimal composition for customers. A systematic study with different ionic conductors (YSZ) was carried out using Forschung Zentrum Julich cell design licensed by Saint-Gobain in 2006. YSZ powders developed by electrofusion have been successfully qualified in short term performances both in bulk anode and anode functional layer showing performances and strength similar to reference with a current density at 1.3A/cm2 at 800°C at 0.7V and bulk anode strength 85+/-5MPa.